I talk a lot about input. I've characterized it elsewhere as, basically, "correct phrases and sentences in the native language." I've stated that it's been something that I've focused on heavily in my own studies. I've said that it is probably the most important portion of language learning - that without having input, you won't be fluent. But there's one question I have not yet answered at length: why is language input so important? Let's take a look at two causes.
The first reason is that it is the main way to obtain the vocabulary we will need to use or understand the language effectively. This really is almost a no-brainer. If you are not getting language input, then where are you learning those words? Do you think you're making them up? Could they be coming down to you from the heavens in your sleep? But, it's imperative that you note that the type of input you obtain will greatly effect the standard of the vocabulary you could learn.
If you're getting input from a textbook, the vocabulary you happen to be learning may not actually be the most frequently employed vocabulary. In fact, it can be vocabulary that is absolutely useless to you in the real world. Have you ever heard of people complaining that what they learned in language courses is not how they actually speak in the streets? That is why. If you had found that vocabulary by reading actual literature in the target language, observing real TV shows in the target language, or even better, listening to real people converse life in the target language, you'd probably have been greatly predisposed to learn vocabulary that would be necessary to you.
Another factor to consider is that input is the main supplier for how to design your sentences. This can be a more subtle, and yet much more important reason than the last one. It's less obvious that the only way to learn correct sentences is through real input. Whilst you can't learn new vocabulary by making it up without having input, you possibly can "learn" sentences by making them up without having input. I put the word "learn" in quotation marks, because normally, the sentences you might be imprinting in your brain are not accurate.
You merely made them up, while using the grammar rules that you learned. But regardless of whether they are grammatically correct, they could still sound wrong to a native's ears. Through input, you should focus on, as opposed to making up your own sentences, simply repeating the same exact sentences that you've obtained directly through input. Or duplicating sentences very close to things that you've already heard. The farther you get, of course, from the direct input that you received, the higher your chances of getting the sentence wrong. So be careful.
The first reason is that it is the main way to obtain the vocabulary we will need to use or understand the language effectively. This really is almost a no-brainer. If you are not getting language input, then where are you learning those words? Do you think you're making them up? Could they be coming down to you from the heavens in your sleep? But, it's imperative that you note that the type of input you obtain will greatly effect the standard of the vocabulary you could learn.
If you're getting input from a textbook, the vocabulary you happen to be learning may not actually be the most frequently employed vocabulary. In fact, it can be vocabulary that is absolutely useless to you in the real world. Have you ever heard of people complaining that what they learned in language courses is not how they actually speak in the streets? That is why. If you had found that vocabulary by reading actual literature in the target language, observing real TV shows in the target language, or even better, listening to real people converse life in the target language, you'd probably have been greatly predisposed to learn vocabulary that would be necessary to you.
Another factor to consider is that input is the main supplier for how to design your sentences. This can be a more subtle, and yet much more important reason than the last one. It's less obvious that the only way to learn correct sentences is through real input. Whilst you can't learn new vocabulary by making it up without having input, you possibly can "learn" sentences by making them up without having input. I put the word "learn" in quotation marks, because normally, the sentences you might be imprinting in your brain are not accurate.
You merely made them up, while using the grammar rules that you learned. But regardless of whether they are grammatically correct, they could still sound wrong to a native's ears. Through input, you should focus on, as opposed to making up your own sentences, simply repeating the same exact sentences that you've obtained directly through input. Or duplicating sentences very close to things that you've already heard. The farther you get, of course, from the direct input that you received, the higher your chances of getting the sentence wrong. So be careful.
About the Author:
Do you want to carry on doing whatever you are able to to learn languages? Read a few of my other articles on what it takes to become fluent in a language.
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